Category: Dashboard Symbols & Tell-tales

DashboardSymbols.com descriptions of the symbols and tell-tales used on automobile and light truck dashboards and instrument panels.

BMW dashboard symbols update includes an intriguing new pair of indicators

BMW logoBMW dashboard symbols update

Our latest BMW dashboard symbols update added a number of new indicators, with two in particular that stood out. They are the first of what will very likely be many Intersection Collision Warning symbols industry wide over time.

Intersection collision warning leftIntersection collision warning rightThe intriguing part is that the pair face different directions, pointing to which way the danger is approaching! They are shown here on either side. It remains to be seen if drivers will find them an effective warning mechanism. They are certain to be part of any future self driving software developed by BMW.

Other notable additions include alternate Pedestrian Detection symbols, unnecessary in our opinion, and Manual Speed Limiter indicators.

All in all, there are more than 80 symbols that can be seen on our BMW symbols page here.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/bmw-dashboard-symbols-update-includes-an-intriguing-new-pair-of-indicators/

Battery charge and warning symbols count on our page now at 14

Battery Charge and Warning Symbols

After a Volvo symbols update, our EV, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Battery Charge and Warning Symbols page now holds 14 images! And it is hardly the most prolific page! This is primarily because the automotive industry lacks discipline — or someone to apply that discipline — and continues the absurdity that is automotive dashboard symbols, telltales and indicators. Our pages now hold well over 1,000 distinct versions!

Hybrid battery holding chargeHybrid battery chargingThe Volvo update added two black and white versions (right), bringing the total to six of the 14. We certainly feel obligated to include them, as a driver needs to know that they are looking at exactly what they see on their instrument panel in order to feel confident about the information being given to them.

And note that the second symbol with the padlock is said to be an indicator that the hybrid battery is holding its charge! Isn’t that what its supposed to do??

Despite calls for uniformity and promises of such, auto manufacturers continue to forge their own paths when designing indicators. The addition of information displays on instrument panels has prompted the new assortment of black and white entries. Fortunately, this usually — but not always — include a text message explaining what the indicator is trying to tell the driver.

We’re pretty comfortable saying that oftentimes these messages are less than helpful.

You can see our EV, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Battery Charge and Warning Symbols page here.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/battery-charge-and-warning-symbols-count-on-our-page-now-at-14/

Volvo dashboard symbols update adds 10 indicators and a big surprise

Volvo logoVolvo dashboard symbols update

We completed our 2024 Volvo dashboard symbols update and added 10 indicators. But what is notable and truly surprising is what images that are not present.

Despite having now three pure electric models, the C40, which is now the EC40 and EX40 EVs, there are no warning indicators available if a problem crops up with the high voltage battery.

Hybrid battery chargingHybrid battery holding chargeWe did add two new symbols related to hybrid batteries. They are one that indicates the hybrid battery is charging (far right). The other (near right) indicates that the battery is holding its charge. We surmise that this means that everything is functioning as expected.

Traction battery warningCold battery indicatorThe only symbol added related to the high voltage battery is one indicating that it is cold (right) and thus will not offer the power expected until it has warmed. On the far right is an example of a malfunction indicator that Volvo does not offer.

Our suspicion is that something will pop up on the information display should an actual problem with the high voltage battery crop up. In fact, we did find six possible messages that could come up, one of which is Do Not Drive. The manual noted that information on the location of the problem would be included.

That said there are more than 60 symbols that can be seen on our Volvo symbols page here.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/volvo-dashboard-symbols-update-adds-10-indicators-and-a-big-surprise/

Dodge dashboard symbols update adds an astounding 44 new lights!

Dodge logoDodge Dashboard Symbols Update

Given that the company has only two models, the Hornet and the Durango, it is a huge surprise to find that the 2024 Dodge dashboard symbols update will add 44 new symbols to the page, nearly doubling the total count. At this writing we’re only about half way through!

Primarily, we find the addition of a whole lot of technology, including new hybrid technology in the Hornet. In addition, that tech appears to come straight from Alfa Romeo! Both are in the Stellantis family after all.

The giveaway are these three lights related to the use of a 48 volt hybrid battery. The lights are part of what Alfa Romeo call E-Boost and what Dodge calls PowerShot! The symbols are very, very unique.

E-boost indicator 3E-boost indicator 2E-boost indicatorE-Boost and PowerShot are a belt-driven 48V hybrid system. This system helps in stop-and-go situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.

Plus, there are now four different Sport Mode Indicators!

There’s a whole lot more, more than 90 in fact, that can be seen on the Dodge symbols page here.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/dodge-dashboard-symbols-update-adds-an-astounding-44-new-lights/

Chrysler dashboard symbols update adds seven new lights

Chrysler logoChrysler Dashboard Symbols Update

Despite the company selling only two models, the 2024 Chrysler dashboard symbols update still manages to add seven new symbols to the page.

Lane departure warning greenLane departure warningMost are the result of adding new colors to existing symbols. As a for instance, there are now green and white Lane Departure Indicators. They add to what a driver needs to know about the system, In green, the system is on and ready and both lanes are detected. In white, lane lines are not detected.

Adaptive cruise control on indicatorAdaptive cruise control indicatorAlso added were several for Adaptive Cruise Control (right). As with above, the additions involve new colors: green means the system is operating; green with an added vehicle says the system is running and has detected a vehicle ahead; and white says the system is on, but no speed has been chosen.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

The Chrysler symbols page, now with nearly 60 of them, is here.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/chysler-dashboard-symbols-update-adds-seven-new-lights/

Alfa Romeo dashboard symbols page updated

Alfa Romeo LogoAlfa Romeo dashboard symbols

We updated our Alfa Romeo dashboard symbols page. In the process we added nearly a dozen new symbols.

This was due to the addition of a hybrid system in the 2024 Tonale. Most of the symbols we already featured from other manufacturers, but as is too often the case, the company added a new E-Boost system that required three brand new lights.

E-boost indicator 3E-boost indicator 2E-boost indicatorE-Boost is a belt-driven 48V hybrid system. This system helps in stop-and-go (see this link) situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the E-Boost system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.

The indicators are seen as a lightning bolt in a cloud-like circle. As noted, the colors alert the driver to the status of the E-Boost system.

The Alfa Romeo symbols page is here and the E-Boost system got its own page here.

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

——————————————————————-

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/alfa-romeo-dashboard-symbols-page-updated/

Rivian Symbols Page Debuts

Rivian Symbols

Rivian logoWe have now added a Rivian symbols page covering the R1T pick up and the R1S SUV models. We had to modify system fault, auto braking, and hood and tailgate ajar indicators to look like the company’s models. However, while the rest of the warning lights and indicators are old standards, there is a new set that stand out.

EV battery lowEV battery very lowEV battery drainedWe had to add a whole new set of charge indicators (left) to our High Voltage Battery Charge Indicators page. They are a simple elongated oval with a small amount of fill.

In yellow/amber/orange, the light warns that the charge is low. The next light, in red and with less fill, warns that the charge is very low. The final light, also in red, adds an exclamation point to pretty much tell its driver he’s out of “gas”.

Why an already existing set of indicators wasn’t used we’ll never know…

Cars are changing, and among those changes is the growing number of symbols and indicators that will invariably show up on your dashboard or instrument panel. Every year, new features are added to vehicles, each of which is accompanied by a new symbol or symbols and likely a new acronym.

At DashboardSymbols.com, our aim is to help you understand what is happening to your vehicle at the first sign of trouble – a new warning light illuminated on your instrument panel. Its all here on this website. Our first intention is to bring the latest technologies down to earth and understandable for everyday drivers.

See the complete set of Rivian warning lights and symbols here.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/rivian-symbols-page-debuts/